Chalkbeat is reporting that former Arizona State Senator Rich Crandall has suddenly resigned from his position as Colorado Education Commissioner. He resigned on Thursday “just four-and-a-half months into the job, shocking the state’s education community and roiling the state Department of Education as it embarks on a number of critical initiatives,” reports Chalkbeat.
Crandall was forced out of office in Arizona after it was revealed that he was on Arizona’s payroll while serving in Wyoming after Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill was stripped of her powers in a hostile takeover of education by Governor Matt Mead. Crandall left Wyoming for Colorado after the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hill and restored her powers.
Now, education activists are wondering if Crandall will emerge once again on Arizona’s education scene.
Crandall issued a statement on Thursday:
“On behalf of my state board colleagues, I want to thank Commissioner Crandall for his strong and effective advocacy for quality public education for all Colorado children,” said state board Chairman Steve Durham. “I appreciate the importance Mr. Crandall places on family and his recognition of his professional and personal limitations in this demanding position.”
“The realities of my large family being out of state, including school age children, as well as the demands of the position and the time required to fully serve a state as diverse and expansive as Colorado, lead me to this decision,” Crandall said. “I have enjoyed getting to know and work with so many supporters of public education, especially the staff at the Department of Education. I wish the state board and staff well as they work on implementation of ESSA and the many key policy issues facing the board.”
The state board will meet today at 4:30 on Friday, May 20, to consider Crandall’s resignation. The board will also consider appointment of an interim commissioner pending a search for a permanent replacement.
Crandall was removed from his senate seat by Arizona Senate President Andy Biggs due to the public’s outrage, when it was revealed by an Arizona Daily Independent reporter and Tucson radio show host James T. Harris of 104-1 The Truth FM, that Crandall pulled up a Uhaul truck to the Arizona Senate Building, packed up all of his belongings, and Tweeted a picture of the truck in front of the Capitol in a mocking farewell to his constituents.
Crandall had attempted to hold onto his senate seat claiming that he needed the insurance coverage for his children. However, according to Arizona officials, Crandall could have vacated his seat so that the people in his Legislative District had representation and maintained his insurance coverage. Only after his constituents became aware of Crandall’s misrepresentations did Biggs remove him.
Crandall’s companies in Arizona contracted with Arizona school districts, while he acted as Chair of the Arizona Senate Education Committee. During his tenure in the Senate, that cozy relationship was a matter of concern for many of his constituents in the state.
Crandall raised eyebrows when he threatened a a fellow lawmaker.
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